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File: EF-R
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL NUTRITION
Purpose
The purpose of the Department of School Nutrition is to provide a high quality school nutrition program to students, staff, and community. The meals should be nutritious, appetizing, satisfying to the student, and contribute to each student’s life long nutrition habits.
Quality of Food
Give constant attention to taste, appearance, proper temperature, and attractive presentation of items served.
Student Service
Give attention to student needs. Provide quick service in a friendly and courteous manner and acknowledge each student with a smile or a greeting.
Sanitation
Prepare food in a clean kitchen using proper cooking and handling procedures to insure wholesomeness.
Safety
Be committed to training and maintaining awareness and enforcing regulations to make each kitchen a safe place to work.
Financially Responsible
Promote efficient, cost effective management practices and constantly look for new ideas and ways to improve the program.
Professional Growth
All staff members will be trained to increase their knowledge of the school nutrition field, add to their enjoyment of the profession, and help them to do a better job. Involvement in the professional school nutrition association will be encouraged.
Professional Appearance
Wear a clean and complete uniform every day and maintain a well groomed personal appearance.
Attitude
Display a positive attitude in the work environment.
Teamwork
Work together on all levels to achieve our goals and to encourage maximum productivity for the school nutrition program. Each employee makes a difference.
Pleasant Work Environment
Provide a work environment which allows staff members to succeed, to be treated with respect, and to be recognized for their contributions to the school nutrition program.
Honesty
A commitment to act truthfully in a trustworthy manner.
Life Long Nutrition Habits
Promote healthy choice and a balanced diet for active and growing students.
School Nutrition Personnel (The Food Service Director)
The second nutrition director is responsible for the following:
General Management
1. Analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency of the school nutrition program operation
2. Facilitates positioning of the school nutrition program as an integral part of the education system.
3. Provides leadership for the district school nutrition program
4. Established policies and procedures for school and district nutrition operations in cooperation with the school principals and the superintendent.
5. Established school nutrition program goals that support the philosophy and policies of the school board.
6. Involves school nutrition program personnel in assessing the need for program changes
7. Evaluates individual school nutrition program operations in relation to established goals.
8. Establishes procedures and forms to maintain accurate and appropriate records to comply with state and federal regulations.
9. Participates with special education in developing the individual plan for children with special needs.
10. Implements a quality assurance/quality improvement program.
Financial Management and Record Keeping
1. Establishes financial objectives for the school nutrition program operation
2. Prepares the department operating budget
3. Operates the program within the budget
4. Implements control in all cost categories (e.g. labor, food supply, operating)
5. Supervises the preparation of accurate records for food, labor, operating costs
6. Prepares profit and loss statement, balance sheets, and other required financial reports
7. Approves invoices and statements for payment 8. Directs preparation of departmental payroll
9. Process free and reduced-price meal applications and verification process
Personnel Management
1. Conducts meetings with staff to facilitate program objectives
2. Listens to concerns of school nutrition program personnel and assists in problem solving
3. Communicates with school administration about needs and accomplishments of school nutrition program
4. Reviews job descriptions and job specifications for school nutrition personnel
5. Implements personnel policies and procedures
6. Establishes staffing guidelines and work scheduling procedures for each school
7. Interviews and selects school nutrition personnel in cooperation with the principals
8. Recommends a salary plan that recognizes education (training), experience, level of responsibility and certification
9. Determines training needs for school nutrition personnel and implements training program for staff and managers
10. Reviews job performance of all school nutrition employees
11. Maintains an employee recognition and award program
Program Accountability
1. Develops standards and evaluation procedures for all program areas including nutritional integrity, financial management, and student services
2. Assesses program compliance with federal, state, and local regulations 3. Revises school nutrition program operations based on changes in federal, state, and local regulations
4. Communicates program information to the administrative staff and the school board
5. Communicates changes to school nutrition personnel
6. Works with the staff of state and federal agencies responsible for school nutrition programs to benefit the district’s school nutrition program
7. Cooperates with federal agencies and personnel responsible for the administration and review of district school nutrition program
Professional Development
1. Conducts professional growth programs for the district’s school nutrition program personnel
2. Assumes an active role in professional organizations
3. Participates in continuing education activities such as seminars, workshops, professional conferences
4. Promotes employee membership in professional organizations
Marketing
1. Encourages teamwork among school nutrition staff, teachers, school administrators, and community
2. Communicates effectively with school nutrition program personnel, district personnel, students, parents and the community
Computer Applications
1. Uses computer systems to determine nutritional values of recipes and menus, develop production and work schedules, maintain financial records, and other applications
2. Uses computer generated reports to aid in management decisions, and to control and forecast trends in school nutrition operations 3. Updates school nutrition program systems regularly based on technological advances
Other Duties
1. The school nutrition director shall perform other such duties as may be assigned by the superintendent
Employment
1. The school nutrition director shall be appointed by the school board on recommendation of the superintendent
2. The contract for the school nutrition director shall provide for such work days, holidays, hours, etc. as provided by the teaching calendar and as set by the superintendent
3. The school nutrition director is employed for eleven or twelve calendar months and granted vacation in accordance with local school board policy
4. The school nutrition director is responsible to the superintendent and works in cooperation with the school principals for the operation of the school nutrition program
School Nutrition Personnel (Managers)
In order to provide nutritious and appetizing meals to students, teachers, and other personnel, school nutrition managers shall:
1. Be responsible for the overall supervisory responsibility of the school nutrition program in compliance with regulations and requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education, School Nutrition Programs
2. Be responsible for the supervision of staff employees and to ensure high standards of nutrition and nutrition education, food production, and student service
3. Be responsible for preparing work schedules for the staff
4. Be responsible for collecting money, selling tickets and obtaining an accurate count of meals served by category
5. Be responsible for setting up the serving lines for breakfast and lunch, check to see that the staff is using correct portion control, check to see that correct temperatures of food are being met, and enforce personal hygiene and sanitation rules
6. Be responsible for balancing cash and making daily deposits of all money collected. Keep an accurate account of money reported on the SL-12 and money in the bank account
7. Assign staff the duty to write down all items taken from the storeroom daily. The manager shall use this information to keep an accurate and up-to-date perpetual inventory of all food and non-food items in inventory
8. Be responsible for taking a monthly physical inventory of all items in stock
9. Be responsible for the necessary reports as required by the school nutrition director and the Department of Education, School Nutrition Programs
10. Be responsible for a monthly manager choice and student choice menu
11. Be the chairperson of the schools; Nutrition Advisory Council
12. Implement the USDA regulation of Student/Parent Involvement
13. See that the cafeteria and kitchen are kept clean and sanitary at all times in compliance with the local and state health departments
14. Participate in in-service programs scheduled and conducted by the school nutrition director and the Department of Education, School Nutrition Programs
15. Be a member of the school nutrition processional organization, the Virginia School Food Service Association, and encourage staff to participate
16. Be responsible for correct check in procedures when food is delivered. Manager’s signature is required on all invoices
17. The school nutrition manager shall perform other such duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor, principal, or superintendent
18. School nutrition managers are employed by the school nutrition director and principal with approval of the superintendent
19. The school nutrition manager is responsible to the principal in the school, the school nutrition director, and the superintendent
School Nutrition Personnel
In order to provide nutritious and attractive meals to students, teachers, and other personnel, the school nutrition staff shall:
1. Be responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, well-balanced meals to students under the direction of the school nutritional manager
2. Strive to keep the kitchen area as clean and sanitary as possible at all times in compliance with the regulations of the local and state health departments and the Department of Education
3. Participate in in-service programs scheduled and conducted by the school nutrition director and the Department of Education, School Nutrition Programs
4. Be encouraged to join and participate in the school nutrition programs professional organization, The Virginia School Food Service Association
5. Be neat, clean, and attractive in person and manner
6. Shall adhere to the dress code for school nutrition staff as required by the local health department
7. Shall furnish as a condition for and triennially for continuation of employment a certificate from a licensed physician certifying that such employee appears free of communicable tuberculosis
8. School nutrition employees must be in good physical condition to meet the requirements of the job
9. The school nutrition staff is responsible to the school nutrition manager and the respective school principal and works in cooperation with the school nutrition director and the superintendent
10. The school nutrition staff shall perform other such duties as may be assigned by the immediate supervisor, principal, school nutrition director, or superintendent
Procedure in Applying for a Position
Prospective school nutrition staff is employed by the school nutrition director and the principal upon recommendation of the respective school nutrition manager with approval of the superintendent. All persons seeking employment shall:
1. File an application for school nutrition employment with the school nutrition director
2. Furnish three personal references who can give an accurate account of your character and abilities
3. Furnish a valid record of all previous work experience and training
4. Arrange for an interview with the school nutrition director
Qualifications
1. All school nutrition employees should be at least eighteen years of age and of good moral character
2. All school nutrition employees should be clean, neat, well-groomed, and in good health
3. Experience in food service or prior training in food service is desirable
4. School nutrition managers must complete the 10 hour Food Sanitation course by the local health department
5. It is desirable that school nutrition managers be certified members of the Virginia School Food Service Association
6. Experience with computers is desirable for prospective school nutrition managers
7. All school nutrition employees must be available and willing to participate in programs or classes that provide continuing school nutrition education
Hours of School Nutrition Personnel
1. The hours of the school nutrition staff will be determined by the school nutrition director and principal with approval by the superintendent. The hours and number of employees in each kitchen will be based on the average daily participation standards set by the Department of Education, School Nutrition Programs.
2. Each school nutrition manager is a salaried 10 calendar month employee. Managers shall work on teacher workdays as required by the school nutrition director for in-service training.
3. School nutrition staff shall work during the days that their respective school is in operation. Additional days may be added as approved by the school nutrition director, principal, or superintendent, such as clean-up days before the opening and after the closing of school or in-service days.
Transfer of School Nutrition Personnel
Any school nutrition employee may be transferred by the superintendent upon the recommendation of the principal and/or nutrition director subject to review by the school board.
Suspension, Probation, Dismissal
A school nutrition employee may be dismissed, suspended, or placed on probation for good and just cause by the school nutrition director, principal, and/or superintendent subject to review and approval by the school board.
Menus
1. Menus for the district shall be planned by the school nutrition director. Menus are generally planned to reflect the preferences of the school community to encourage students to eat nutritious meals.
2. Menus must meet school nutrition program requirements. Meals are planned with a goal providing students with one third of their recommended dietary allowances for key nutrients and calories. Minimum quantities for each age group must be served, but larger amounts may be offered based on student needs.
3. The school lunch assures that the student is receiving a nutritionally balanced meal. Students learn good nutrition habits that provide a basis for better health throughout their lives. School lunches contain a variety of foods and offer students exposure to new foods.
4. The school nutrition program is required to have parents and students involved in the planning, merchandising and service of school meals, as well as nutrition education.
5. Menus for each month will be distributed to each school, the local newspapers and the radio station.
School Nutrition Policies
1. The school kitchens will not be used by anyone except when supervised by the regular school nutrition staff and approved by the principal and/or school nutrition director in accordance with school board policies.
2. The price of lunches will be recommended by the school nutrition director with approval by the superintendent and subject to review by the school board.
3. Reduced and free meals are to be provided to students according to the scale from the federal government.
4. The Virginia Department of Education and federal regulations state the following policy in determining adult meal prices: Adult meal prices are determined by the highest price charged to the student PLUS the reimbursement received for paid meals PLUS the USDA donated commodity value PLUS the reimbursement received from the state.
5. Adult prices are based on the same portion sizes as served to high school students. Larger portions will be cost and prices set accordingly.
6. Prices for a la carte items will be carefully established to ensure that these foods are not in competition with the breakfast or lunch programs.
7. The school nutrition program does not permit students and parents to bring in fast food from the local restaurants and soft drinks during lunch periods.
8. No smoking will be permitted during work hours or at any time in the cafeteria and kitchen areas.
9. Each cafeteria is required by federal regulation to appoint a parent/student advisory committee (Nutrition Advisory Council). A representative from each homeroom, a parent, and a teacher shall serve on the council. The school nutrition manager from each school will chair the committee and the principals are ex-officio members of the council. The Nutrition Advisory Council shall be approved by the school board on an annual basis.
Adopted: 3/22/04
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